31st Canal Day celebrated in Mont Clare

Historian and performer Matthew Dodd, of Mechanicsburg, PA, weaves a tale of what like was like for a canal boatman to the attendees of Canal Day on June 30 in Mont Clare. (Photo by Justin Finneran/21st Century Media)

The 31st annual Canal Day was held on Sunday, June 30, 2013, at Lock 60 and St. Mike’s Park in Mont Clare. The event is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Schuylkill Canal Association – the organization which promotes stewardship and preservation of the Schuylkill Canal and the three-mile area known as Schuylkill Canal Park.

Despite a light rain, a big crowd came out to enjoy the fun, food, and camaraderie.

“It’s wonderful to see the community come out and support the SCA,” said SCA member Strickland Kneass. “I think people realize how hard we work on this area and I think they really appreciate it. Plus it is just good to be out by the canal on a summer day relaxing with our friends and neighbors. It is old-fashioned small-town fun and you don’t get that a lot these days. It’s great how the community came together not only to support but to promote this event – and we have a great time doing it.”

He also added the following regarding the volunteers who pitched in to make the event happen.

“We have about 40 volunteers, and they are wonderful. A lot of them have been volunteering for over ten years and when you have people who have been doing it for a long time they just know what to do and it makes things move so much smoother. We have one of the best, well-trained, volunteer armies out there.”

Here are the Canal Day boat racing results:

Kayaking:

1st – Rowan Sampson

2nd – Cliff Roach

3rd- Diane Blackburn

Canoeing:

1st – Judy Jeanes and Kristie Nichols

2nd – Brayton Palmer

3rd – Steve Broszka and Maryanne Ryborczyk

Trail Run and Jousting Results to be posted as we receive confirmation from SCA